Population
Service age groups
About this topic
Service age groups divide the population into broad life-stage bands such as children, young adults, working-age adults, and older people. The groupings are designed to reflect typical demand for age-based services and facilities rather than exact five-year cohorts.
This view is useful for planning childcare, schools, recreation, aged services, and other community infrastructure. It works best alongside five year age groups, household type, and dwelling data, which add more detail about who is living in an area and how needs may change over time.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived grouping rather than a direct Census question, so the age bands are planning-oriented summaries built from standard age data.
- Percentages relate to the total population; use five year age groups when exact cohort detail matters.
Related topics
Key insight
In 2021, Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) was the most common category among residents in Valla (part), accounting for 18.9% (199 people). This share was higher than Nambucca (A) (18.2%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69), which increased by 60 people and 4 percentage points.
Section overview
Age structure - Service age groups
Valla (part) - Total persons (Usual residence)
This table summarises service age groups for Valla (part) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Nambucca (A) and change since 2016.
Age structure - Service age groups snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Valla (part), with comparison markers for Nambucca (A).
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
2021 count
62
% of total
5.9%
Change from 2016
-0.3pp
62
5.9%
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
2021 count
72
% of total
6.8%
Change from 2016
-2.5pp
72
6.8%
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
2021 count
98
% of total
9.3%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
98
9.3%
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
2021 count
51
% of total
4.8%
Change from 2016
-1.4pp
51
4.8%
-1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
2021 count
80
% of total
7.6%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
80
7.6%
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
2021 count
174
% of total
16.5%
Change from 2016
-2.1pp
174
16.5%
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
2021 count
183
% of total
17.4%
Change from 2016
-2.7pp
183
17.4%
-2.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
2021 count
199
% of total
18.9%
Change from 2016
+4.0pp
199
18.9%
+4.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
2021 count
113
% of total
10.7%
Change from 2016
+2.7pp
113
10.7%
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
2021 count
13
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
+0.8pp
13
1.2%
+0.8pp
Chart view
Age structure - Service age groups change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4)
+4
-0.3pp
Primary schoolers (5 to 11)
-15
-2.5pp
Secondary schoolers (12 to 17)
+9
-0.2pp
Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24)
-7
-1.4pp
Young workforce (25 to 34)
+10
+0.1pp
Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49)
0
-2.1pp
Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59)
-5
-2.7pp
Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69)
+60
+4.0pp
Seniors (70 to 84)
+38
+2.7pp
Elderly aged (85 and over)
+9
+0.8pp
Data table
Service age groups for Valla (part). Age structure - Service age groups. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Nambucca (A).
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | % | Nambucca (A)% | Count | pp | |
| Babies and pre-schoolers (0 to 4) | 62 | 5.9% | 4.8% | 58 | 6.2% | 4.8% | +4 | -0.3pp |
| Primary schoolers (5 to 11) | 72 | 6.8% | 7.2% | 87 | 9.3% | 8.1% | -15 | -2.5pp |
| Secondary schoolers (12 to 17) | 98 | 9.3% | 7.3% | 89 | 9.5% | 7.0% | +9 | -0.2pp |
| Tertiary education and independence (18 to 24) | 51 | 4.8% | 5.2% | 58 | 6.2% | 5.7% | -7 | -1.4pp |
| Young workforce (25 to 34) | 80 | 7.6% | 8.2% | 70 | 7.5% | 7.6% | +10 | +0.1pp |
| Parents and homebuilders (35 to 49) | 174 | 16.5% | 14.5% | 174 | 18.6% | 14.4% | 0 | -2.1pp |
| Older workers and pre-retirees (50 to 59) | 183 | 17.4% | 13.5% | 188 | 20.1% | 15.9% | -5 | -2.7pp |
| Empty nesters and retirees (60 to 69) | 199 | 18.9% | 18.2% | 139 | 14.9% | 17.4% | +60 | +4.0pp |
| Seniors (70 to 84) | 113 | 10.7% | 17.7% | 75 | 8.0% | 15.2% | +38 | +2.7pp |
| Elderly aged (85 and over) | 13 | 1.2% | 3.5% | 4 | 0.4% | 3.7% | +9 | +0.8pp |
| Total | 1,052 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 936 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +116 | 0.0pp |